Handwriting Analysis, Forgery & CounterfeitingChapter 10

Objectives Describe 12 types of handwriting exemplars that can

be analyzed in a document. Demonstrate an example of each of the 12

exemplars of handwriting traits. Identify the major goals of a forensic handwriting

analysis. Describe some of the technology ised in handwriting

analysis. Distinguish between the terms forgery and

fraudulence. Identify several ways in which businesses prevent

check forgery. Describe 4 features of paper currency that are used

to detect counterfeit bills.

IntroductionDocument analysis

◦Very broad ◦Examination and comparison of questioned

documents with known material Questioned documents – any signature,

handwriting, typewriting, or other written mark whose source or authenticity is in dispute of uncertain.

Document expert◦specially trained person who scientifically

analyzes handwriting and other features in a document.

Introduction to HandwritingFactors that cause variation in a person’s

handwriting◦ Different types of writing instruments

Pen Pencil Marker Crayon

◦ Mood◦ Age◦ How hurried the person is

BUT each person has a unique handwriting style- developed over time as they become adults.

12 Characteristics of Handwriting1. Line Quality

◦Do the letters flow or are they erratic and shaky?

2. Spacing◦Are the letters equally spaced or crowded?

3. Size consistency◦Is the ratio of height to width consistent?

4. Continuous◦Is the writing continuous or does the writer

lift the pen?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting5. Connecting Letters

◦Are capitals and lowercase letters connected and continuous?

6. Letters Complete◦Are letters completely formed? Or, is

a part of the letter missing?7. Cursive and printed letters

◦Are there printed letters, cursive letters, or both?

12 Characters of Handwriting8. Pen Pressure

◦Is pressure equal when applied to upward and downward strokes?

9. Slant◦Left, right, or variable?

10. Line Habits◦Is the text on the line, above the

line, or below the line?

12 Characteristics of Handwriting11. Fancy curls or loops

◦Are there fancy curls?12. Placement of crosses on t’s

and dots on i’s◦Correct or misplaced? Are t’s

crossed, crossed in the middle, toward top, or toward the bottom? Are the i’s dotted, dotted toward the right, left, or centered?

Handwriting ExaminationForgeries

◦ Documents made, adapted, or falsified with the intention of deceiving someone

Handwriting ExaminationAnalyzing a handwriting sample

◦3 basic steps 1. Questioned document & the standards

(exemplars) are examined & detectable characteristics are recorded. If possible, get a handwriting sample from the suspect

without informing them of the comparison that will happen. Best exemplars are letters, diaries, greeting cards, or

personal notes. 2. Characteristics of the questioned document are

compared with the known standard 3. Experts determine which characteristics are

valuable for drawing a conclusion about the authenticity & authorship of the questioned document.

Handwriting ExaminationSimilarities do not guarantee

common authorship – may not be the same person◦Unique characteristics of one

person’s handwriting can occur in another’s.

◦Experts have to take into account a lot of factors in their analysis.

Handwriting ExaminationExperts also have ways of determining

if someone tries to disguise their handwriting or copy someone else’s (conscious writing effort).Suspect should NOT be shown the

questioned documentSuspect should NOT be given specific

instructions about punctuation and spellingThe pen and paper should be similar to the

questioned document

Handwriting ExaminationTechnology Used in Handwriting

Analysis◦Biometric Signature Pads

◦Computerized Analysis Forensic Information System of

Handwriting (FISH) Computerized handwriting database maintained

by the Secret Service

Handwriting ExaminationHandwriting Evidence in Court

◦Expert prepares a written report to present to jury

◦Expert called upon as an expert witness

Handwriting ExaminationShortcomings in Handwriting

Analysis◦Some forgeries can be missed◦Quality of the standards obtained

can be poor◦The effects of mood, age, drugs,

fatigue, & illness on a person’s handwriting

Handwriting ExaminationForgery

◦Process used by criminals to make, alter, or falsify a person’s signature or another aspect of a document with the INTENT to deceive another.

Fraudulence◦When material gain, such as money,

accompanies a forgery

Handwriting ExaminationCheck Forgery

◦Americans write approximately 70 Billion checks a year!

◦About $27 Million in illegitimate checks are cashed EACH DAY!!!!!!!

◦Checks are altered by Ordering someone else’s checks from a deposit

slip Directly altering a check Intercepting someone’s check, altering it, and

cashing it Creating forged checks from scratch.

Handwriting ExaminationPreventing Check Forgery

◦How do companies protect themselves? Print checks on chemically sensitive paper Use a large font size that requires more ink

and makes alterations more difficult Use high resolution borders on the checks

that are difficult to copy Print checks in multiple color patterns Embed fibers in checks that glow under

different types of light Use chemical-wash detection systems that

change color when a check is altered

Literary ForgeryForgery of a piece of writing,

such as an historic letter or manuscript

Best literary forgers try to duplicate the original document by using materials that are similar to those in the original document

Documents can be treated to make them look older

CounterfeitingWhen false documents or other items are

copied for the purpose of deception◦ Most common counterfeited items

Travelers’ checks Certain bonds Currency

◦ Other counterfeited items Coins Food stamps Postage stamps Paper money

◦ Federal felony- punishable by up to 15 years in prison

◦ Investigated by the Secret Service

CounterfeitingCounterfeit Currency

◦In the past, with access to a scanner and a color printer, it was pretty easy to do

◦Secret Service has added features that prevent this today

◦Real money is printed on special paper◦Relatively easy to detect counterfeit money

Iodine pens – stay yellowish on real $, black on fake

◦There is a movement to move to polymer money- a type of plastic money because it’s very difficult to counterfeit.

Features Found in Real Currency1. Portrait stands out form the

background & appears raised off the paper.

2. There is minute microprinting on the security threads, as well as around the portrait.

3. Serial number is evenly spaced and the same color as the Treasury seal.

4. Check letter and Quadrant Number.

Features Found in Real Currency5. Federal Reserve seal has no

sharp pointsTreasury seal has clear, sharp

sawtooth points7. Clear red and blue fibers are

woven throughout the bill. Security thread is evident, consisting of a thin, embedded vertical line or strip with the denomination of the bill written on it.

Features Found in Real Currency8. Federal Reserve Number and

Letter9. Series10. Check Letter and Face Plate

Number11. Watermark appears on the

right side of the portrait of the bill in the light

12. When a new series bill is tilted, the number in the lower right-hand corner makes a color shift from copper to green resulting from color-shifting ink

Features Found in Real Currency13. Clear, distinct background

details and lines14. Clear, distinct border edge